Irish Eyes Smiling
Accokeek, MD- An 0-4 Irish looked to get back on track against a young, spry Richmond side that gave the Irish fits the throughout the summer 7s season. Perhaps the last missing piece to parity across the entirety of MARFU DII South, Richmond had already knocked off a very strong Frederick side and has been in every game this season.
The Irish got off to a quick start, playing ball in Richmond's half. A short while into the game the Irish got deep inside Richmond's twenty-two meter line when the Lions were called for not releasing the ball. Green drove off the lineout and when it stalled halfback Jake Daniel played it out to captain Anthony Caron who froze the defense with a jab step and then went from zero to full pace and outran pursuers to put it down under the posts. Caron also converted the try to make it Irish 7-0.
The next 20 minutes saw some very tactical play from the Richmond side. Using driving kicks from their flyhalf and centers Richmond repeatedly stuck the Irish deep in their territory, played patient defense and waited for the Irish to make a mistake. While the Irish played some flashes of great rugby, they would ultimately make four mistakes deep in their own territory. Three of these were converted by their flyhalf giving Richmond a 9-7 lead serving as yet another reminder of what a simple game plan well executed can accomplish.
This was however the only nine points that Richmond would score on the day.
The ever dangerous yet sometimes tame Irish back three, played by John Baker, Even Gallagher and James Thompson, retrieved a clearing kick and countered. They took it most of the way and the Irish settled into some controlled 'inside 22' play. The ball went through the hands to Gallagher to Nate Kusner who finished the try. Conversion was pushed wide. Half came shortly after. Irish 12-9
With some early second half tactical substitutions also came the return to A-side of Damian Maguire. Upon entering the game Maguire cleanly stole a ball relieving some pressure from a hard working Irish defense. Minutes later a hard run by Kusner put Green deep into the territory. Phase ball got out to Maguire who found a hole and was nicely followed by Jon Hansen who got clean ball and gave the same to Mark Seiss who finished the standout play. Conversion by Caron put the Irish up 19-9.
Shortly later, the Irish were deep again and once again showed remarkable patience. After some five or six phases Luke Piepkorn got tired of watching short "pick and gos" and decided it was time to score and did so. Conversion hooked by Caron and the Irish were up 24-9.
Minutes after, the Irish were again inside the Richmond twenty-two and decided again to take it by brute force. All day the Irish had been running short line-outs and giving quick ball to Jerod Jazenski whose hard running was giving Richmond headaches all day. Rather than have it quick the Irish brought it down and mauled towards the try zone. When the maul stalled Kusner split from the back and fell into the try zone. Conversion pushed wide by Caron; Irish 29-9.
The final try of the game once again came from the forwards, but this time they did it with speed. Off an ugly wheeled scrum Kusner corralled a loose ball and made his way up the right sideline. An alert Jazenski followed and was rewarded with a sharp pass from Kusner. Jazenski then outran and out of position attacking Richmond back line to finish a great scoring day for the forwards. Conversion pushed again and Irish win 34-9.
While it might be worth speculating what it would take for the Irish to still qualify for playoffs, that is best left to supporters, fantasy rugby fans, and anybody that does not have two games left versus PAC and Frederick, both on "the road". For now, the Irish squad will focus on getting back to basics and finishing teams when they have leads.
B Side
The B side once again saw more of what the B side has been doing all season- crushing the opposition. Perhaps it is the influx of older, experienced players such as Steve Duma Johnson and Pete McGrath, or maybe it is the depth of the Irish squad. Either way the Irish B squad went in to this game undefeated and left as such.
The first try may have been the most impressive. After a great run by an Irish mid-fielder Tom Rege once again in great support picked and found some space and then Damien Maguire out to Chuck Goldston, back to Maguire, back to Goldston and Neil Goodwin getting in on the action for a try. No conversion; Irish 5-0.
Next several minutes had Maguire assisting a pair of tries; one to Peter McGrath who got the ball to finisher John Baker, and drew two defenders and again found Baker for a try. No conversion on either. Irish 15-0.
Finally the forwards got in on the action when Andrew McClure, back from an untimely shoulder injury, picked off the back of a scrum and powered through the Lions defense and touched it down for fin. Another failed conversion left the Irish up 20-0 at half.
First score of the second half came when an Irish bounce deep in Richmond territory was collected by Rege and dished to Jeff Timmons for the try. In a related story, Timmons caught a standby flight to DC to get minutes with the Irish. While it was fun listening to him rib Solly at the bar, the take-away from his visit should be what it means to wear an Irish jersey. Thanks to Jeff for making the 1-day trip and good luck in Atlanta. The conversion was good and the Irish were up 27-0.
Next of the encyclopedic collection of tries was a quick tap by Maguire out to Goldston who made a nifty play on a slightly errant pass, and then to Rege once again in support and in for the try. No conversion; Irish 32-0.
Richmond got a try back when an Irish pass got a little too much air into it and was intercepted by a Richmond defender who took it in for a converted try.
Another occasional Irish player Joe Newman, who was playing standoff at the time scored the penultimate try for Green. Pretty basic "scrumhalf-to-flyhalf-flyhalf-jukes-opposite-flyhalf-then-fullback" sort of try. Conversion good. Irish up 39-7.
The scoring finally ended with Sev Schnibbe breaking and finding Justin Brandenburg who took it himself for try. Final Irish 44-7.
Another great day for the Irish B side, and for that matter the entire The Washington Irish Rugby Football Club. As tradition dictates, all the players and coaches joined in a singing of Irish Eyes (LEARN THE WORDS!!!), and recessed to Solly's for some well earned, and too long awaited, "winner's beer".
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